Though very few in these parts would argue with the alleged rule change, there is no truth to the rumor that BCS officials are going to attend the SEC championship game and hand the crystal football to whichever team wins that night. There will still be the matter of actually showing up in Miami a month later for the season’s final four quarters. The opponent that night will most likely be the Ohio State Buckeyes, which will set off catcalls and howls from fans hither and yon. Just so you’ll know a little bit more about the team you’ll be giving verbal backhands to, I offer the following:
The King’s 2008 Ohio State Buckeyes Preview.
ON OFFENSE
Offensively, OSU is squared away. Far too often people describe fifth-year senior Todd Boeckman as a latter-day Craig Krenzel. While they’re not even remotely the same type of player, Boeckman does have one thing in common with the former Buckeye: he wins. He generally does a good job of taking care of the football (despite throwing 14 picks last season) and he understands what his role is—and isn’t—in the Ohio State offense. Leadership, knowledge of the offense and the ability to deliver the ball downfield (even if he’s not often asked to) are what you get from Boeckman.
The bell cow, though, lines up a few feet behind Boeckman. Beanie Wells is a 238-pound bruising junior tailback who also has the speed to run away from most defensive backs. He’s a legitimate Heisman candidate and he’s not the only quality back OSU can run at you. Senior Maurice Wells is the No. 2 man and provides a great complement. If need be, the Buckeyes can ground it out for four quarters and fatigue won’t be a factor.
Brian Robiskie and Brian Hartline give Boeckman a quality tandem at wideout, with Robiskie the bigger of the pair and with better hands and toughness. Hartline is the over-the-top threat, while the Buckeyes also have Jake Ballard, a 6-foot-6, 255-pound tight end that is as much receiver as blocker. In short, the skill positions are loaded.
But the best part of the Ohio State offense is up front. Four starters return and there is depth on the line, as well. The big uglies are led by 6-8, 300-plus-pounder Alex Boone at left tackle, who surprised a lot of folks by returning to Columbus to start for his fourth season.
ON DEFENSE
On the other side of the ball, it’s business as usual, despite losing top-five pick Vernon Gholston from the line and linebacker Larry Grant, one of the toughest players on the roster. Essentially, it’s Ohio State – you can lose one or two or 10 studs and simply dip into the pool of great recruits you’ve brought to town in recent years and find some pretty good replacements.
First and foremost among the new guys is junior Lawrence Wilson. He’s really similar to Gholston in stature and style of play and will bring heat off the edge. Inside, look for Cameron Heyward to emerge. Only a sophomore, the son of the late Craig Heyward has the kind of first step and athleticism you simply don’t find in guys that are 6-6 and nearly 290 pounds.
The linebackers have always been the stars in Columbus and this season is no different. But while everyone knows the name James Laurinaitis (and they should), senior Marcus Freeman is a great compliment to the Butkus and Nagurski awards winner. Depth is iffy here and there are still questions about what the team is going to do on the strong side, but Laurinaitis and Freeman are two great places to start.
In the secondary, Malcolm Jenkins and Donald Washington form perhaps the best pair of corners in the nation. I’ll pick nits and say that the safeties are only adequate in coverage and don’t really generate many turnovers. But that’s me searching for stuff.
As far as special teams, somehow Ohio State was wretched returning kickoffs last season, but rocked everywhere else and essentially everyone who contributed is back. Senior A.J. Trapasso might be the best punter in the nation.
What does all this equal? Most likely a loss to USC in September, an undefeated conference run and another appearance in the national title game. Feel free to boo, but I at least wanted you to know who, in particular, you were booing.
Oliver can be heard on 790 The Zone’s “Afternoon Saloon” weekdays from 4-7 p.m. and can be reached at coliver@790thezone.com.
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